Understanding the 2 year PDC Tour Card System guide

Understanding the 2 year PDC Tour Card System

Understanding the 2 year PDC Tour Card System

If you’re a darts fan and watch as much as you can, you’ve probably heard darts commentators on TV talking about the PDC Tour Card system. But what exactly is it, and how does it work? We take a look at understanding the 2 year PDC tour card system.

Blade 6 Winmau dartboard as used in all professional PDC darts tournaments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Official Winmau Blade 6 dartboard as used in all PDC tournaments around thge world. Set includes the Winmau Blade 6 dart board surround to protect the wall.

What is the PDC Tour Card?

The PDC (Professional Darts Corporation) Tour Card is essentially a golden ticket for professional darts players. It grants them the right to compete in all PDC ProTour events, including Players Championships, European Tour events, The UK Open and more. Think of it as a membership card that opens the door to the elite level of professional darts. Those players high enough on the order of merit can earn entry into the big money PDC Majors.

The PDC tour card is sometimes referred to as a golden ticket
PDC tour cards are also known as the Golden Ticket of darts

How Does the Ranking System Work?

The PDC Tour Card system is based on a player’s performance over a two-year period. The ranking runs from the first ranked tournament of the year, usually held in mid to late February, to the end of the PDC World Championships, which typically concludes on January 3rd or 4th of the following year. Every pound earned in ranking tournaments count towards the magic place in the world’s top 64 elite level.

The Top 64 Rule

At the end of this two-year cycle, the top 64 players in the PDC Order of Merit automatically retain their Tour Cards. This ranking is crucial because it determines who gets to stay and who has to go. Players who are in the first year of their two-year Tour Card are also safe, regardless of their ranking.

What Happens to the Rest?

For those who don’t make it into the top 64 and are not in their first year, it’s a different story. These players lose their Tour Cards and must go through the gruelling process of Q-School (Qualifying School) to try and earn it back. Q-School is a highly competitive event where hundreds of players compete for a limited number of Tour Cards. The four day competitions are held in the UK and in Europe with the available tour cards split across the 2 locations based on the total number of entries at each Q-School.

Luke Littler taking aim at the top of the world rankings
Luke Littler gained enough ranking money in 2023 to earn his tour card without ever visiting Q-School

Why is This System Important?

The PDC Tour Card system ensures that only the best and most consistent players get to compete at the highest level. It adds a layer of competitiveness and urgency, making every tournament and every match crucial. For fans, it means we get to see the best of the best battling it out, which is always exciting and often throws up a surprise talent.

The Pressure of Retaining a Tour Card

Imagine being a professional darts player knowing that your career depends on your performance over two years. The pressure is immense. Every missed double, every lost leg, and every early exit from a tournament can have significant consequences. It’s a test of skill, consistency, and mental toughness.

Tracking PDC tournament results

Throughout the year we will be tracking all of the PDC tournaments in the calendar and will update which players are in danger of losing their tour cards as the season hots up

This article is also available in Dutch on our Medium digest Which Darts